2024 was a transformative year—a year of learning, a year of taking the first step, and a year of overcoming what I call “brain fear.”
What is brain fear, you ask? It’s the fear of starting something new because of overthinking. This paralyzing fear can make even simple decisions feel overwhelming, often leading to missed opportunities. But in 2024, I decided to face my brain fear head-on and take meaningful action.
Here are three specific brain fears I left behind in 2024:
Fear #1: Taking Gains on Investments
For years, I hesitated to sell investments that had gained value, even when I lacked full conviction in their long-term potential. Why? Because I dreaded paying taxes on the profits. This fear stunted my portfolio’s growth. Instead of reallocating those gains into better opportunities, I let that money sit idle in investments that no longer aligned with my goals.
This year, I realized that holding onto investments out of fear of taxes was costing me more in missed opportunities. By selling these positions, I freed up capital to pursue new, promising ventures—and my portfolio is now better positioned for growth.
Fear #2: Taking Losses on Underperforming Stocks
Like many others, I bought stocks during the pandemic highs, believing they would soar indefinitely. When reality set in and some of these stocks dropped significantly, I struggled to sell them, clinging to the hope that they’d rebound. My fear? Admitting to a loss and seeing a double-digit percentage of my investment disappear.
However, I came to terms with the fact that holding onto these stocks was a sunk cost. By selling them, I unlocked capital that could be reinvested in stronger opportunities. The decision wasn’t easy, but it taught me the value of cutting losses and moving on.
Fear #3: Starting a Blog
Starting a blog was another big leap. I’d wanted to create one for years, but brain fear kept me in check. I worried about running out of ideas, the costs of maintaining a blog, and whether anyone would even read it.
In 2024, I took the plunge. Nine months later, I’ve published several articles weekly, honed my writing skills, and improved my critical thinking. My blog is still a work in progress, but I’m proud of how far it has come. It’s also become a valuable resource—when someone asks for my opinion, I can now point them to a thoughtful article I’ve written.
Lessons Learned
Brain fear is a dangerous thing. The more you know, the more fears your mind can create. But what I learned in 2024 is this: the most important step is the first one. Once you start, the fear begins to lose its grip.
As Zig Ziglar said, “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”
Looking Ahead to 2025
As I reflect on the year’s achievements, I’m excited to carry this momentum into 2025. What fears are you ready to tackle? What steps will you take to leave brain fear behind and achieve your goals?
Let’s make 2025 a year of bold beginnings and fearless growth.
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